Mining-machine



No. 623,924. Patented Apr. 25, |899. J. M. MGHUGH.

mums MACHINE. (Application med Dec. 7, '1897.1 Nu Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 623,924. Patented Apr. 25, |899. J. M. MCHUGH.

MINING MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. '7, 1897.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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YH! Ncmms PETERS co. PunmALxmo., wnmm'on. D, c

No. 623,924. Patented Apr. 25, 1899. J. M. MGHUGH.

MINING MACHINE.

(Application led Dec. 7, 1897.) l(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

Lvenzar TN: Norms PETERS co. PHoToALlTuo.. WASHINGTON, nA c.

No. 623,924. Patented Apr. 25, |899. J. M. MGHUGH.

MINING MACHINE.

(Application led Dec. 7, 1897.) No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

TH: Nanms wzrzns co., PHOTQYLITND., WASHINGTON. n. c.

Nrnn STATES' JAMES M. MCHUGH, OF BOSTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

MINING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,924, dated April 25, 1899.

Application filed December 7, 1897. Serial N0- 661,089. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES' IWI. MOI'IUGH, a resident of Boston, in the countyof Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in lllining-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to mining-machines.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the machine, showing the cutter-bar fully extended in position for the side cutting operation. Fig. 2 is a side view on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the machine out of operation. Fig. L is a cross-section on the line 4 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a rear view of the frame. Fig. 6 is a front view. Fig. 7 is a view, partly in section, of the forward jack. Fig. S shows the jack used in the side cutting operation. Fig. 9 is a detail of the guide. Fig. 10 is a cross-section of same.

Like letters indicate like parts in each of the figures.

The frame of my machine consists of the two channel-bars a, connected together by means of the bar c. at the rear end and the bar a2 at the front end thereof. These bars ct and c2 have the turned-up portions owhich are bolted to the outside of the'channel-bars a. The cross-bar ct also has the depending braces a4, to which are bolted or other-wise secured the plate c5. Shoes c6 are secured at their rear ends to the plate c5 and at their forward ends to the underside of the channelbars c for the purpose of forming supports for the rear end of the machine.

Secured to the connecting-bar c2 and beneath the same is the support a7, having the two bent-up portions a8 at each end thereof. The channel-bars d, as more clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, have the depending flanges b and the upturned anges b. Suspended between these two channel bars c, with its flanges c resting upon the upturned flanges b of the channel-bar, is the movable plate c. This movable plate c has the cutter-bar attached thereto and carries thereon certain mechanism, gearing, &c., through which the several motions of the machine are governed, the same being more fully hereinafter described.

Mounted upon the stationary frame of the machine and at about thecenter thereof is the motor D. The motor is secured to the table d, which is in turn securely bolted to the frame. The power-shaft d from the motor extends forward to the front end of the ma* chine, its forward end being journaled in the bearing d2 at the upper end of the standard d'3.

The shaft CZ carries at its forward end the pinion d4, which meshes into the gear-wheel d5 upon the counter-shaft (ZG, which extends the full length of the frame, its forward end being journaled in the bearingd2 in the standard cl3 and its rear end being journaled in the bearing d8, secured to the bar ct' of the frame. The standard cl3 is secured to the bar a2.

The counter-shaft d has the keyway d8 formed therein nearly the full length thereof.

A bevel-gear c2 upon the vertical shaft c3, journaled in the bearing c4 of the plate c, meshes into the bevel-pinion c5 upon the shaft d6. The shaft de passes through the bearingblock c6. The pinion cis held in proper relation to the gear e2 by means of the bracket c7, attached to the block c6. A key in the pinion c5 extends into the keyway d8 of shaft d6, said pinion revolving therewith and imparting motion to the gear c2, which, through the shaft c3, imparts motion to the chainsprocket cs at the lower end of shaft c3, which in turn imparts motion to the cutter-chain c. The cutter-bar fis attached to the plate c and has the guide-bar f' attached thereto, which passes through the guide or slot a9 in the support co7 at the forward end of the frame.

As the machine is operated the plate c, carrying the cutter-bar f, is fed forward by certain mechanism which will be more fully hereinafter described. As the bar is thus moved forward the sprocket c8 imparts motion to the chain e and the cutter e' thereon.

The frame f is formed straight upon the side f2 for a purpose more fully hereinafter described. In the forward end of the frame are journaled the idle sprockets f3 and at the rear of side f2 is journaled the idle sprocket f4. These idle sprockets are for the purpose of guiding the sprocket-chain. A pinion g with a key therein is feathered upon the shaft d6 and meshes into the gear-wheel g', whose shaft is journaled in the bearing (2. At the other end of said shaft is the pinion g3, which IOO meshes into the gear-wheel g4 upon the shaft g, journaled in the bearing g Upon the shaft g5 is also the worm gf, meshing into the worm-wheel 7L. The worm-wheel ZL is loosely mounted upon the shaft 71,', which is journaled in the bearings h2 upon the movable plate c. The outer ends of the shaft 7L' project into the channel-bars a. Upon these outer ends of said shaft 7L' are fixed the toothed wheels h3, which engage the pins 1'-, inserted in the upper part of the bars a, and they are so arranged as to take the place of teeth for the reception of the teeth of the wheels h3 for a purpose more fully hereinafter described. A worm 7.: upon the shaft (ZG meshes into a wormwheel 7e' upon the shaft 7L'. The worm-wheels ZL and 7s' are both loosely mounted upon the shaft h' and have the clutch-faces 7L1 and 7o, respectively, into which the clutch-faces Z' and Z2, respectively, of the clutch Z are designed to engage. rlhe clutch Z is feathered upon the shaft ZL and is operated by means of the lever Z3.

As the motor is operated and the shaft (ZG revolved the cutter-bar is fed forward as follows: The clutch-face Z' of clutch Z is forced by lever Z3 into engagement with the clutchface h4 of worm-wheel Z1., and the shaft 7L' is revolved to move the cutter-frame forward through the train of gearing g g' g3 g4, worm g, and worm-wheel ZL upon shaft 71.'. The teeth of the toothed wheels h3 upon ends of shaft 7L' engage the pins i and act therein to move the frame forward. Vhen it is desired to reverse the feed, the clutch-face Z2 of clutch Z is forced, by means of lever Z3, into engagement with clutch-face 7a2 on worm-wheel Zt', and the motion of shaft 7L is reversed and the cutter frame or bar recedes. 'lhereverse n10- tion is geared at a higher rate of speed than the forward feed. The bevel-pinion c5, pinion g, and worm Za all have keys therein which engage the keyway (ZS upon shaft (Z. As the plate c and the cutter-frame j" are fed forward these piuions4 and worm are carried forward therewith, their keys always in engagement with the keywa-y (ZS. Permanently keyed to the shaft d, at the rear end thereof, is the worm mf. A worm-wheel m' upon the shaft mz meshes into the worm m, the shaft m2 being journaled in the bearings m3. A clutch m, operated by lever m5, is feathered upon the shaft m2 for the purpose of engaging the clutch-face m6 upon the worm-wheel m, said worm-wheel being loosely mounted upon the shaft m2. A bevel-pinion n at end of shaft m2 meshes into the bevel-gear n upon shaft a2. The shaft n2 is journaled in the bearings '113, situated one at the front end of frame and the other at rear end thereof. Pinions In.4 are keyed to shaft n2 for a purpose more fully hereinafter described.

Standards o, being four in number, are bolted to the top of channel-bars a, two near the forward end and two near the rear end. These standards o have the eyes o therein, through which the rack-bars p are adapted to be passed. Vhen said raelcbars are in place, the teeth of the pinions n4 engage the teeth of the rack-bars p, said rack-bars being generally two in number. Slots p' are formed in the ends of rack-bars p for the reception of jacks R. The jacks R are more clearly shown in Fig. S. The jacks R consist of the threaded bar fr, having the pointed end fr', which engages the floor of the mine. This threaded harris passed through the slot p of rack-bar p, and a nut r2 upon the bar r directly beneath the rack-harp allows the adjusting of the height of the rack-bar. A piece of tubing r3, with the upper pointed' end r4 for engaging the ceiling of the mine, fits upon the upperend of threaded bar r, and a n ut rs upon bar r is for the purpose of raising the tubing \Vhen the jacks are in place, the nuts o" are turned to raise the rack-bars t-o the desired height, and the tubings r3 are raised by means of the nuts r until the points r* and o" are firmly fixed into the ceiling and floor of the mine. Vhen the jacks are thus firmly fixed, the rack-bars 1) are held firmly in position. 3y this construction the height of the machine above the floor may be readily changed. The rack-bars 1') may be readily elevated, thus raising the machine. It often happens that in making a eut the chain eutter will come in contact with hard rock which it cannot cut, and in order to avoid the rock it is necessary to elevate the machine to eut over it or lower it to eut under it, as the case may be. In this way the strain on the machine is relieved, and the cutting can continue Without interruption. Y

Jacks S and S are attached tothe forward and rear ends of the frame, respectively, for the purpose of holding the frame rigid during the forward cutting operation. They consist of the frames s, having the downwardly-extending bifurcated straps s'. Athreaded bar .s2 is fixed into the seat s3. A sleeve s, with the upper pointed end s, fits loosely over the threaded bar s2, and a nut s" upon the threaded bar s2 may be operated to raise the sleeve s4 and force the point s into the wall of coal. The forward jack S has one of the straps s slightly longer than the other, so that when the bifureated ends of said straps engage the studs Z on the frame the sleeve s4 will be slightly pitched to one side, so as to hold the feed from following a diagonal line due to the direction of movement of the cutter-chain. A shaft 'u is journaled at its rear end to the plate c and at its forward end to the cutterframe f. A seat u is formed near the forward end of the shaft for the reception of the guide-tool u?. A plate a3 is bolted to the enlargement u4, which holds the tool u2 in its seat. The tool LZ2 has the sharpened edges u, as more clearly shown in Fig. lO. These sharpened edges enter the upper and lower faces of the cut as it is being formed and aid to guide the feed in a straight forward line. At the rear end of the shaft u is formed the angular enlargement u, which is engaged by IOO IIO

the keeper a7, pivoted to the plate cY at u8. After the forward cut has been completed the keeper @Z7 is swung upon its pivot u8 to remove it from the enlargement a6, when a wrench or tool may be applied thereto to turn the shaft u and tool u2 to the position shown in Fig. l.

At or near the rear end of the frame is the plate o, carrying the rollers n', which are V- shaped on their circumference. The ends of the plate o are slotted to slide upon the perpendicular rods w, fixed in the shoes a. A nut r2 is bolted to the under side of plate o3, said plate being secured to under side of frame. A threaded bolt y passes through said nut and corresponding opening in the plate @3, the lower end of bolt y enteringin the seat y upon theupper face of plate fu. The bolt 'y has the head y2, by which said bolt may be turned to raise or lower the plate n. These rollers when lowered during the side cutting operation relieve the rack-bars p from a part of the weight of the machine. The rack-bars p are made of such a length that they may be put in place while the machine is in position for operation. It is therefore necessary to make them shorter than the width of the room, and therefore it will be necessary during the side cutting operation to move the rack-bars and again adjust them before finishing the cut. During this movement the rollers fu are lowered, so as to sustain the full weight of the rear end of machine, and if the support c7 is not resting rmly upon the Hoor at that time it will be necessary to block it up.

The operation of my improved machine is as follows: The machine is first placed in position, with the forward end up close to the wall of coal. The machine previous to starting operations will be as shown in plan view, Figj. It is usual in mining to start the cutting at the left-hand side of the room facing to Wall of coal to be cut. When my machine has been thus placed, the jacks S and S are put into position and the frame held rigidly thereby. The clutch-face Z of clutchZ is thrown, by means of lever Z3, into engagement with the clutch-face h4 on worm-wheel 71,. Power is then applied to the motor and the shaft d revolved, and the cutter-chain e is moved through the bevel-gearing c2 and c5 and the sprocket-wheel es. The tools e upon chain e act to cut the coal, and the cutterframe is fed forward by means of the train of gearing before mentioned, the toothed wheels h3 meshing into the pins i. The guide u2 is held in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 by means of the keeper @t7 during the forward cutting to aid in keeping-the cutter-bar in line. The edges of the tool cut a groove in the top and bottom faces of the cut as the cutter-frame is fed forward'. When the forward cutting has been completed, the lever Z3 is operated to throw the clutchZ out of engagement either by hand or automatically by -means of a stop placed in proper position upon the frame. The feed being thrown out in the slots p of rack-bars p and the nuts rs operated to force the points r' and r4 firmly into the floor and ceiling, respectively, of the room. The nut r2 is then operated to relieve the weight of the machine from the iioor. By operating the bolt y the wheels or rollers o are forced down until they come in contact with the fioor of the mine. By operating the lever m5 the clutch m4 is thrown into engagement with the clutch-face m6 on worm-wheel m, and through the gearing before mentioned the pinions n4 are revolved, and their teeth engaging the teeth of the rack-bars p operate to feed the machine crosswise in the direction of arrow, Fig. 2. The machine hangs by means of the standards o from the rackbars p. As the machine is thus fed sidewise and the cutter-chain is operated a side cut is made in the coal, and the whole cut is made in two operations.

In the usual type of machines now in general use it is necessary after the first forward cutis made to run the cutter-frame back, move the machine sidewise a distance equal to the width of cut made, and proceed in a similar manner until the cut has been made the full width of the room.

In my improved machine the cutting operation first starts forward in one corner of the room, and then after the forward cut has been completed the machine is operated to perform a side cut, as previously described, to finish the cut across the width of the room. Vhen the side cut has been completed, the lever m5 is operated to throw the clutch m4 out of engagement, thus stopping the feed. The lever Z3 is then operated to throw the clutch-face Z2 of clutch Z into engagement with the clutchface k2 of worm-wheel Zo. The reverse-gear is then operated to draw the cutter-frame f back to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. I have made the side f2 of the cutter-frame f on a line parallel with the sides c of the main frame, so that the cutter-bar may be withdrawn more readily and to make the finished cut square, it being obvious that if said side f2 of the cutter-bar were on a diagonal similar to the other side the cutters would have to cut away the bevel as said cutter-bar recedes. This would be impractical-where the reverse feed was made to operate so much quicker than the forward feed.

I do not wish to limit myself in any sense to the mechanism shown and described, as that may be varied without affecting the scope of my invention.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

IOO

IIO

l. In a mining-machine, the combination of a suitable frame, cutting mechanism on said frame, means for advancing said cutting mechanism longitudinally into the coal and for moving said frame transversely of the cut, a rocking bar on said frame, a cutter-guide on said bar adapted to form a longitudinal groove in the coal, and means for locking said bar in position, substantially as set forth.

In amining-maehine, the combination of a suitable frame, cutting mechanism on said frame, means for advancing said cutting mechanism longitudinally into the coal and for moving said frame transversely of the cut, a rocking bar on said frame, a cutter-guide on said bar adapted to form a longitudinal groove in the coal, and a latch adapted to engage said bar and lock it in position, substantially as set forth.

3. In a mining-machine, the combination of a suitable frame, cutting mechanism on said frame, means for advancing said cutting mechanism longitudinally into the coal and for moving said frame transversely of the eut,

a rocking bar on said framehaving an angular portion thereon, a cutter-guide on said bar adapted to form a longitudinal groove in the coal, and a keeper adapted to engage said angular portion, substantially as set forth.

4. In a mining-machine, the combination of a main frame having channel-bars extending longitudinally thereof, the open faces of said channel-bars facing each other, downwardlyprojecting flanges on said bars, pins passing through said bars and anges forming racks thereon, a movable frame, cutting mechanism carried by said frame, a shaft on said frame, pinions on said shaft engaging said racks7 and mechanism for rotating said shaft, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I, the said JAMES M. MCHUGH, have hereunto set my hand.

` JAMES M. MCIIUGII. Witnesses:

ROBT. D. ToTTEN, Ronnnr C. TOTTEN. 

